The Canterbury earthquakes have had a widespread adverse impact on mental health, a new review of multiple academic studies has found.
University of Otago researchers took a hard look at 20 studies into the impacts of the earthquakes.
Mental health issues increased by "about 10 to 15 per cent" among people who experienced the quakes, Massey University lecturer and clinical psychologist Ian de Terte told TVNZ1's Breakfast today, explaining that the number is "high in the general population".
But it's important to note, he added, that there are "various factors that may impact on why an individual may or may not have a psychological reaction to such an event".
"There is no answer as to why some people have psychological difficulties post an event of this nature and some do not."
The study also found that community initiatives proved critical in treating people with mental health concerns in the years following the incidents.
While there is no way to quantify the impact of free counselling services, Mr de Terte said it "definitely would reduce the psychological impacts of the earthquakes".
He called for free counselling services to be subsidised, as is the case in Australia.
"At the moment, I think to see a psychologist is quite expensive," he said, explaining that the establishment of a help line for free counselling services following the earthquakes was "a good start".
"I think we need something more, but definitely a good start. At least somebody has somewhere to go."
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